In observance of International Women's Day, Leslie Jean of American Style Tribal Bellydance, Euhpraxia - created a series of images, to feature on her Instagram account. 

This ongoing project honors women whom she has been inspired by, taught by, loved by and loved in return, mentored by, motivated by,  and humbled by. 

You can view the entire album starting HERE on Facebook. 

Thank you Leslie for showing the rest of us how to be grateful for the immense artistic and diverse community that is Buffalo, Western New York and our world. 

BUFFALO, NY-January 30, 2016- What do you call a thunderous, bluesy brand of folk-music, peppered with international sound, created with the intensity of hard rock and lending itself to psychedelia perception?

I call it Led Zeppelin.

On October 30, 1969, the members of the iconic London-based band, still in its infancy, made their inaugural Buffalo performance at Kleinhan's Music Hall. Lack of confidence in the band's ability to draw a Buffalo audience spurred tour managers to keep ticket costs under five dollars. The managers needn't have worried so much.

By all accounts, Buffalo was treated to an addicting performance that night. With the heavy, guitar-driven music of Jimmy Page permeating the powerful, mind-blowing lyrics of Robert Plant, the sounds of Zeppelin reverberated into the hall. Buffalo became hooked on Led Zeppelin that night. The rest is history.    

AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen College President Gary A. Olson conferred a bachelor’s degree in nursing to student Paula Williams, who is seriously ill with breast cancer, at a private on-campus ceremony held Dec. 16 in the Wick Campus Center Alumni Lounge. She completed the academic requirements in the fall semester to receive her nursing degree, which was presented in advance of the college’s annual commencement ceremony in May.

“We are all very proud of Paula for persevering through her illness to receive her degree,” said Olson. “She is courageous, tenacious, and an inspiration to everyone at Daemen.”

A graduate of the former Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing, Williams held various staff and leadership positions at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. In recognition of her professional excellence, she was awarded a scholarship from the Kaleida Health Foundation.